KEY POINTS:
It's not often Michael Coleman can ride as light as 53.5kg, which was the tip that he thought Pinsoir could resume with a winning run at Ellerslie on Saturday.
The other tip was the huge punt on the Cambridge sprinter, who was originally two back on the ballot.
As he usually does, Coleman made light of his efforts to get down to the 53.5kg.
"It wasn't too bad, I had a bit of fish last night, even a couple of chips, then a couple of beers."
The beers, says Coleman with a smile, were purely medicinal.
"They help you start to sweat."
There was a bit of sweat also from those who backed Pinsoir down to $4.90 favouritism when the horse took a long time to wind into his work along the inside before grabbing the leaders. Also from Coleman on the home bend.
"The track on the inside was still on the dead side and he wasn't entirely happy with it.
"I wasn't at all confident on the home turn."
Cambridge trainer Paul Duncan is aiming Pinsoir at the Group One Railway at Ellerslie on January 1.
"I'm not sure what races I'll send him around in to get him ready for the Railway.
"The main issue is he needs three weeks between races.
"Look at him, he doesn't carry a lot of condition, yet he's a terrific eater."
Coleman rates Pinsoir a Railway-type horse.
"I'm pleased he won today because he's going to need to be winning to get enough weight for me to be able to ride him in the Railway."
Last season's Concorde winner, Happy Sculpture, fought bravely from the perfect sit behind the lead and of the beaten runners Alonzo looked good storming home. He's looking for at least 1400m.
